Gimbaled flexure for spherical flex joints

Abstract

A duct assembly may include a first duct, a second duct, and a flexible joint assembly coupling the first duct to the second duct. The flexible joint assembly may include a bellows having a first end and a second end and a plurality of convolutions located therebetween, and a gimbaled joint assembly. The gimbaled joint assembly may include a first support surrounding the first end of the bellows and a first portion of the plurality of convolutions, a second support surrounding the second end of the bellows and a second portion of the plurality of convolutions, and a gimbal ring assembly operably coupled to the first support and the second support. The gimbal ring assembly may include a ring body and a plurality of flexure hinges interconnected with the ring body.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A joint assembly, comprising:
 a bellows comprising a first end and a second end and a plurality of convolutions located therebetween; and 
 a gimbaled joint assembly, comprising:
 a first support surrounding the first end of the bellows and a first portion of the plurality of convolutions; 
 a second support surrounding the second end of the bellows and a second portion of the plurality of convolutions; and 
 a gimbal ring assembly operably coupled to the first support and the second support, the gimbal ring assembly comprising: 
 a ring body; and 
 a plurality of flexure hinges interconnected with the ring body, wherein respective ones of the plurality of flexure hinges comprise a ring and spoke element, the ring and spoke element comprising a first ring, a radially inward extension, and a plurality of spokes connecting the first ring to the radially inward extension; 
 wherein the ring body comprises a plurality of ring body portions respectively defining a circumferential segment of the ring body, wherein respective ones of the plurality of ring body portions are disposed between circumferentially adjacent ones of the plurality of flexure hinges and wherein respective ones of the plurality of ring body portions are interconnected with circumferentially adjacent ones of the plurality of flexure hinges. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The joint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein respective ones of the plurality of flexure hinges comprise a second ring and a second plurality of spokes connecting the second ring to the radially inward extension, the second ring and the second plurality of spokes disposed below the first ring relative to a radius of the ring body, wherein the second ring of respective ones of a first plurality of flexure hinges from among the plurality of flexure hinges are coupled to the first support and the second ring of respective ones of a second plurality of flexure hinges from among the plurality of flexure hinges are coupled to the second support. 
     
     
       3. The joint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein respective ones of the plurality of flexure hinges comprise a third ring and a third plurality of spokes connecting the third ring to the first ring, the third ring and the third plurality of spokes surrounding the first ring, and wherein respective ones of the plurality of ring body portions are interconnected with the third ring of circumferentially adjacent ones of the plurality of flexure hinges. 
     
     
       4. A joint assembly, comprising:
 a bellows comprising a first end and a second end and a plurality of convolutions located therebetween; and 
 a gimbaled joint assembly, comprising:
 a first support surrounding the first end of the bellows and a first portion of the plurality of convolutions; 
 a second support surrounding the second end of the bellows and a second portion of the plurality of convolutions; and 
 a gimbal ring assembly operably coupled to the first support and the second support, wherein the gimbal ring assembly comprises a ring body and a plurality of flexure hinges interconnected with the ring body: 
 wherein respective ones of the plurality of flexure hinges comprise a cylindrical exterior having an upper ring portion and a lower ring portion, and wherein the upper ring portion and the lower ring portions are configured to rotate relative to one another. 
 
 
     
     
       5. The joint assembly of  claim 4 , wherein respective ones of the plurality of flexure hinges comprise an interior portion coupling the upper ring portion to the lower ring portion, and wherein the upper ring portion and the lower ring portion rotate relative to one another about the interior portion. 
     
     
       6. The joint assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the interior portion comprises two bridges respectively configured to couple the upper ring portion to the lower ring portion. 
     
     
       7. The joint assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of flexure hinges and the ring body are integrally formed. 
     
     
       8. The joint assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the gimbal ring assembly has two rotational degrees of freedom and the first support and the second support are respectively configured to rotate relative to the gimbal ring assembly. 
     
     
       9. The joint assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of flexure hinges comprises four flexure hinges circumferentially spaced apart from one another about the ring body. 
     
     
       10. The joint assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the four flexure hinges define a first pair of flexure hinges and a second pair of flexure hinges alternately spaced about the ring body, wherein the first pair of flexure hinges allow the ring body to rotate about a first rotational axis and the second pair of flexure hinges allow the ring body to rotate about a second rotational axis. 
     
     
       11. The joint assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the gimbal ring assembly is coupled to the first support at the first pair of flexure hinges, and wherein the first pair of flexure hinges allow the first support to rotate about the first rotational axis. 
     
     
       12. The joint assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the gimbal ring assembly is coupled to the second support at the second pair of flexure hinges, and wherein the second pair of flexure hinges allow the second support to rotate about the second rotational axis. 
     
     
       13. The joint assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the first support covers a first circumferential portion of a respective one of the plurality of convolutions and the second support covers a second circumferential portion of the respective one of the plurality of convolutions, wherein the first circumferential portion differs from the second circumferential portion. 
     
     
       14. The joint assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the gimbaled joint assembly comprises an inner ring mount, and wherein the first support comprises a plurality of complementary extensions for mounting the first support to the inner ring mount and the second support comprises a plurality of complimentary extensions for mounting the second support to the inner ring mount. 
     
     
       15. The joint assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the ring body comprises a hollow interior and a plurality of internal ribs separating the hollow interior into a plurality of chambers. 
     
     
       16. The joint assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of flexure hinges and the ring body are made by additive manufacturing. 
     
     
       17. The joint assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the joint assembly is configured to couple a first duct of a duct assembly to a second duct of the duct assembly. 
     
     
       18. A joint assembly, comprising:
 a bellows comprising a first end and a second end and a plurality of convolutions located therebetween; and 
 a gimbaled joint assembly, comprising:
 a first support surrounding the first end of the bellows and a first portion of the plurality of convolutions; 
 a second support surrounding the second end of the bellows and a second portion of the plurality of convolutions; and 
 a gimbal ring assembly operably coupled to the first support and the second support, wherein the gimbal ring assembly comprises a ring body and a plurality of flexure hinges interconnected with the ring body; 
 wherein the first support covers a first circumferential portion of a respective one of the plurality of convolutions and the second support covers a second circumferential portion of the respective one of the plurality of convolutions, wherein the first circumferential portion differs from the second circumferential portion; and 
 wherein the gimbaled joint assembly comprises an inner ring mount, and wherein the first support comprises a plurality of complementary extensions for mounting the first support to the inner ring mount and the second support comprises a plurality of complimentary extensions for mounting the second support to the inner ring mount.